Interview with Frank D. Peterson, July 18, 1977

Partial Transcript: This is Professor Charles Roland of the University of Kentucky History Department.

Segment Synopsis: While Roland asks about Peterson's early political connections with Chandler, Peterson reveals that he knew Chandler from when they were at college at different schools. He discusses how he used to play sports against Chandler. Peterson introduces the context of Chandler's early political career, including the governorship of Ruby Laffoon and increasing the sales tax with Tom Rhea. Peterson discusses his position in the state Department of Education during this period.

Keywords: Baseball; Centre College; Centre College students; Frank D. Peterson; Kentucky Department of Education; Sales tax; Tom Rhea; Transylvania College; Transylvania University; Transylvania students; University athletics; University sports

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: If, if we could, let me, let me go back a minute and ask a question or two about your earlier association with him.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes his athletic relationship with Chandler when Chandler would come down from Lexington to visit his friends in Danville at Centre College. He notes that Chandler was known as popular with a good singing voice. Peterson also tells how Chandler played quarterback in football against Centre.

Keywords: Baseball; Centre College; Centre College students; Football players; Frank D. Peterson; Kentucky Department of Education; Quarterbacks; Sales tax; Tom Rhea; Transylvania College; Transylvania University; Transylvania students; University athletics; University sports

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Well--(clears throat)--now, to, to come back down then to, to the time when he came to Frankfort, say as a member of the leg--as a member of the state senate, and then as lieutenant governor, you were in Frankfort at that time.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson admits that he did not have a particularly close relationship with Chandler during his time as lieutenant governor. However, he does discuss the circumstances leading to Chandler's election, continuing from an earlier thread. He notes that Laffoon and Tom Rhea hoped to limit Chandler's power as lieutenant governor, but by leaving the state, they unintentionally made Chandler acting governor of Kentucky. This moment allowed Chandler to form a special session of the state legislature.

Keywords: Chandler relationships; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Laffoon; Kentucky legislature; Laffoon administration; Lieutenant governor Chandler; Tom Rhea

Subjects: Beckham, John Crepps Wickliffe, 1869-1940; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: While Governor Laffoon and Tom Rhea were in Washington, Chandler was necessarily, and constitutionally, uh, the governor of Kentucky. So he called a special session of the legislature.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson expands on Chandler's calling of the special session of the legislature while acting governor. He describes how Chandler used this special session to pass along a primary law which would determine the Democratic candidate for governor through two primaries. Peterson also establishes the candidates for governor including Chandler, Tom Rhea, Frederick Wallis, and Jim Richmond. Peterson notes the factions in the Democratic Party and the major players in Kentucky politics, such as Ben Johnson, J.C.W. Beckham, and Robert Worth Bingham.

Keywords: Chandler relationships; Dan Talbott; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Laffoon; Jim Richmond; Kentucky legislature; Kentucky legislature special session; Kentucky primary law; Laffoon administration; Lieutenant governor Chandler; Tom Rhea

Subjects: Beckham, John Crepps Wickliffe, 1869-1940; Bingham, Robert Worth, 1871-1937.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Courier-journal (Louisville, Ky.); Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Ben, 1858-1950; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Major League Baseball (Organization). Office of the Commissioner; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: The result of course was victory for--

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes Chandler's election as governor and the factors that led to his success over the political establishment. Peterson also notes his own career advancement being appointed by Roosevelt and Barkley to the National Youth Administration along with Lyndon Johnson. He describes his support for Chandler during his first year as governor as well as the beginnings of the Reorganization Act of 1936.

Keywords: Brown Hotel (Louisville, Ky.); Chandler first administration; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; National Youth Administration (NYA); National Youth Administration appointments; National Youth Administration state administrators; Reorganization Act of 1936

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; United States. National Youth Administration for Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Did you all reminisce about, uh, baseball?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson notes how he often spoke with Chandler about their days playing sports in college. He describes his decision making process that led him to work for Chandler in the state government. Peterson notes discussing his future with various politicians. He also describes going to the 1936 Democratic National Convention.

Keywords: 1936 Democratic National Convention; Chandler first administration; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; National Youth Administration (NYA); National Youth Administration state administrators

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Beckham, John Crepps Wickliffe, 1869-1940; Bingham, Robert Worth, 1871-1937.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991; Democratic Party (Ky.); Dickey, Frank Graves; Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964; Governors--Kentucky; Hopkins, Harry L. (Harry Lloyd), 1890-1946.; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Logan, M. M. (Marvel Mills), 1874-1939; Major League Baseball (Organization). Office of the Commissioner; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: So, I went to work for--inaudible--

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes working in Kentucky state government following the Reorganization Act of 1936. He discusses working in the Kentucky Department of Finance, as the assistant commissioner of finance under Dan Talbott. He notes the innovation in bookkeeping that was instituted under his and Talbott's administration.

Keywords: Assistant Commissioners; Budget directors; Chandler first administration; Dan Talbott; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky Department of Finance; Kentucky budgets; Kentucky state government departments; Reorganization Act of 1936

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: I, I know that one of the things that Governor Chandler is proudest of is his record in state expenditures, uh, and cleaning up what he considered to be a mess in the, in the finances of the state.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes the various budgets that Chandler passed during his first administration as governor. He notes how Talbott created the first budget, but Chandler eventually took the reins and wrote them. He also goes through the process of creating the budget for the legislature to approve.

Keywords: 1936 Kentucky state budget; 1938 Kentucky state budget; 1940 Kentucky state budget; Chandler first administration; Dan Talbott; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky state budgets; Kentucky state expenditures

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: --(clears throat)-- I also remember that the state common school fund was about three-and-a-half million dollars, or six dollars per capita, that was raised to twelve dollars per capita.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes the funding for the Kentucky State Common School Fund, and the increase of per capita budgets from six dollars to twelve.

Keywords: Chandler first administration; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky budgets; Kentucky education; Kentucky finances; Kentucky public schools; Public school funding; State Common School Fund

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: Could I ask a question about that at this point?

Segment Synopsis: With the abolition of the sales tax, Peterson describes the various methods used for the state to earn money to retire the debt. Peterson discusses how he was actually in support of the sales tax. He also discusses Jim Martin's role in the Department of Revenue in repealing the sales tax and instituting an income tax, as well as a liquor license tax. Peterson more specifically notes his role in reforming the budgeting system across the state government by promoting a zero-base budget, which he claims became unpopular but allowed expenditures to be more manageable.

Keywords: Chandler first administration; Department of Revenue; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky budgets; Kentucky revenue; Kentucky state expenditures; Kentucky taxation; Kentucky taxes; Liquor license tax; Taxations; Zero-base budgeting

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now you paid off about how much of this twenty-s--nine million dollar--?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes how the Kentucky state debt was paid off between Chandler's administration and that of his successor, Keen Johnson. He notes how most of the debt was retired by Chandler, leaving only five million dollars left for Johnson to finish.

Keywords: Chandler first administration; Debt repayment; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky state debts; State debts

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Then, of course, Chandler--I'm, I'm moving on down now, maybe we can go back and pick up some things later.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes the position of working for the National Youth Administration while supporting Chandler for the Senate. He accepts that Chandler was in too much of a hurry to run for the Senate, especially considering he believed Chandler was doing a good job as governor. He discusses Chandler as having too much overconfidence in his own popularity.

Keywords: 1938 Kentucky Senate Democratic primary; 1938 Kentucky Senate campaign; Chandler Senate campaign; Chandler first administration; Chandler senate run; Covington Car Incident; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; National Youth Administration (NYA)

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; United States. National Youth Administration for Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you this, Mr. Peterson, do you feel--now obviously we know that Chandler lost in that race, do you feel that, that, that that--as you said, you thought it was premature for him to, to run at that time...

Segment Synopsis: Peterson accepts that Chandler's run for the Senate might have had some long term effects on his political career and the state. He discusses how with the death of Senator Logan, Chandler entered the Senate anyway. He notes that with Chandler's appointment to the Senate, Barkley and Roosevelt did become closer to him. Peterson describes his relationship with Chandler during this period as strictly social. He also discusses some of the accomplishments of Chandler's successor Keen Johnson.

Keywords: 1938 Kentucky Senate race; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky appointments; Kentucky minimum wage; Kentucky state highway commission; Senator Chandler

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Logan, M. M. (Marvel Mills), 1874-1939; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; United States. National Youth Administration for Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Mr. Peterson, a question. To, to mount a race against, uh, Barkley in thirty-eight, uh, this took some money didn't it?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson discusses how Chandler financed his Senate campaign through assessing state employees and encouraging suggested donations of two percent of their salaries. He describes the presence of a "Book of Life" that listed everyone in the state government that donated or did not donate, which provided further incentive to contribute. He notes how Dan Talbott told Chandler not to run for the Senate.

Keywords: "Two percent clubs"; 1938 Kentucky senate race; Assessing state employees; Campaign contributions; Campaign donations; Campaign funds; Dan Talbott; Frank D. Peterson; Voluntary contributions

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees

Partial Transcript: Alright, well, is there anything else about his first administration that before we leave it that you would like to tell me?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson credits Chandler for his record on supporting public education. He describes how it had initially not been well funded. Peterson also notes his transfer to the University of Kentucky during Chandler's time as Senator and Commissioner of Baseball.

Keywords: 1955 Kentucky state budget; Chandler first administration; Education funding; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky public education; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky faculty

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Beckham, John Crepps Wickliffe, 1869-1940; Bingham, Robert Worth, 1871-1937.; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991; Democratic Party (Ky.); Dickey, Frank Graves; Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964; Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Lieutenant governors--Kentucky; Logan, M. M. (Marvel Mills), 1874-1939; Major League Baseball (Organization). Office of the Commissioner; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: So, you are in a key position, uh, to know, particularly what he was doing in support of higher education by the time he came back in that second administration?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes Chandler's support for higher education during his second term, particularly through the 1956 budget. He discusses the impact of a sales tax on Kentucky universities, as well as the continued support of education through Combs. Peterson also specifically describes Chandler's interactions with the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: 1955 Kentucky state budget; 1956 Kentucky state budget; Chandler first administration; Chandler second administration; Education funding; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky higher education; Kentucky public education; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky faculty

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991; Democratic Party (Ky.); Dickey, Frank Graves; Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: You were telling me, Mr. Peterson, about the negotiations behind the purchase of Coldstream Farms by the University.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson moves away from Chandler to briefly discuss the purchase of Coldstream Farm by the University of Kentucky Agricultural College. [The audio becomes hard to hear through this segment.]

Keywords: Coldstream Farm; Frank D. Peterson; University of Kentucky expansion; University of Kentucky purchases

Subjects: Education, Higher--Kentucky; Universities and colleges--Administration.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: --(clears throat)-- Uh, the second thing I've already mentioned now is that the University, eh, got a twenty-five percent increase in its appropriations, plus--that's all we asked for --

Segment Synopsis: Peterson discusses how the University of Kentucky received more money, in particular a twenty-five percent increase in appropriations from the state government. While pleased, Peterson admits that he believes that the University should have received more. He introduces the topic of the Chandler Medical Center in this segment.

Keywords: Albert B. Chandler Hospital UK HealthCare; Chandler second administration; Frank D. Peterson; Funding increases; Governor Chandler; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky Medical Center; University of Kentucky funding

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky. Medical Center

Partial Transcript: Uh, that's a very interesting point. Back to the medical center. Whose--who was the--whose idea was it to establish the medical center, Mr. Peterson?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes the process of founding the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He discusses how President Donovan wanted to form it in partnership with the University of Louisville, but some were opposed to giving state money to a private college. He credits Chandler with pushing for it to be housed at the University of Kentucky. He also credits Frank Dickey for helping found the school as well.

Keywords: Albert B. Chandler Hospital UK HealthCare; Chandler second administration; Frank D. Peterson; Funding increases; Governor Chandler; Jess Chambers; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky Medical Center; University of Kentucky funding; University of Louisville

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Dickey, Frank Graves; Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky. Medical Center

Partial Transcript: Do you feel that, that, that Chandler was a key figure in the establishment of the medical school?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson lists some accomplishments of Chandler during his second term and his relationship with the University of Kentucky in general. He describes how Chandler helped found the UK medical school, as well as financed one-hundred million dollars in bonds for the creation of highways in Kentucky. Peterson notes that he never experienced any pressure from Chandler on the university presidents or the faculty.

Keywords: Chandler accomplishments; Chandler second administration; Chandler second administration accomplishments; Chandler second term; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky interstate; Political pressure; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Dickey, Frank Graves; Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964; Education, Higher--Kentucky; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Finance; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky. Medical Center

Partial Transcript: I believe that President Dickey was appointed while Chandler was governor that second term.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson discusses the appointment of Frank Dickey as president of the University of Kentucky. He describes the formation of a search committee from several colleges within the university, with himself as the secretary. He claims that out of the candidates, Dickey was the most acceptable, as well as supported by Chandler. However, Peterson says that Dickey had the personality flaw of being too nice to be in politics or run a university, which hurt him with the Combs and Wyatt administrations. He finishes Dickey's story by describing him resigning and moving to Georgia.

Keywords: Chandler appointments; Chandler second administration; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Resignations; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky presidents

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991; Democratic Party (Ky.); Dickey, Frank Graves; Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wyatt, Wilson W. (Wilson Watkins), 1905-1996

Partial Transcript: You asked about Chandler. Chandler is a vindictive man. Chandler does not forget his enemies.

Segment Synopsis: Peterson describes Chandler's vindictiveness. He claims that these traits belong to almost any politician, but singles out Chandler in particular. He provides some examples of Chandler's actions against political enemies, especially during his second term.

Keywords: Chandler's personality; Frank D. Peterson; Political enemies; Political grudges; Political rivalries; Vindictiveness

Subjects: Barkley, Alben William 1877-1956.; Beckham, John Crepps Wickliffe, 1869-1940; Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Combs, Bert T., 1911-1991; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Johnson, Keen, 1896-1970; Kentucky--Politics and government; Laffoon, Ruby, 1869-1941; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky; Wallis, Frederick A.

Partial Transcript: Of course, there are rumors of all kinds of, of kickbacks and, uh, favoritism in contracts, and that sort of thing in his second administration. Do you have any comment on that?

Segment Synopsis: Peterson responds to rumors of Chandler receiving kickbacks and political favoritism, which he acknowledges as having some truth to it. He notes that Chandler did not receive kickbacks per se, rather receiving contributions which possibly were misdirected into his own campaign funds. He also describes packing the Highway Department with job-seekers to create a political machine centered around him.

Keywords: Chandler first administration; Chandler second administration; Favoritism; Frank D. Peterson; Governor Chandler; Kentucky Highway Department; Kickbacks; Political accusations; Political corruption; Political machines; Political patronage; Political rumors

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Democratic Party (Ky.); Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Martin, James Walter, 1893-1990; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Political corruption--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Is there anything else? You've been very patient, and we've been talking here a long time, you've been talking most of the time in answer to my questions.

Segment Synopsis: When asked about anything else to contribute, Peterson decides to expound on Chandler's time as Commissioner of Baseball. He notes how Chandler made his assistant become Secretary of Baseball.

Keywords: Baseball; Baseball commissioner; Commissioner Chandler; Frank D. Peterson

Subjects: Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991.; Governors--Kentucky; Kentucky--Politics and government; Law and legislation; Major League Baseball (Organization). Office of the Commissioner; Political campaigns--Kentucky; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics, Practical; Roland, Charles Pierce, 1918-; State governments; State governments--Officials and employees; Taxation--Law and legislation--Kentucky